# Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft

> A program that focuses on the general study of dramatic works and their performance. Includes instruction in major works of dramatic literature, dramatic styles and types, and the principles of organizing and producing full live or filmed productions.

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/programs/drama-theatre-arts-and-stagecraft
- CIP code: 50.05 (Visual and Performing Arts)
- Colleges offering it: 862 at its most common degree level

## Outcomes by degree level (College Scorecard, 2025)

| Degree level | Colleges | Median earnings 1 yr | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median federal debt |
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| Certificate | 150 | $23,923 | $29,783 | $15,085 |
| Associate's | 251 | $21,945 | $28,728 | $12,000 |
| Bachelor's | 862 | $29,607 | $40,053 | $22,353 |
| Master's | 179 | $42,359 | $52,930 | $66,916 |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Doctoral | 38 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Graduate/professional certificate | 22 | not reported | not reported | not reported |

## Colleges whose graduates earn the most (Bachelor's)

Only programs with at least 10 graduates are listed.

| College | Location | Median earnings 4 yrs | Median debt |
| --- | --- | ---: | ---: |
| [University of Notre Dame-South Bend](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-notre-dame-south-bend-in-3005) | Notre Dame, IN | $64,880 | $19,000 |
| [University of California-Davis](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-davis-2882) | Davis, CA | $56,823 | not reported |
| [University of California-Berkeley](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-california-berkeley-cal-2881) | Berkeley, CA | $55,555 | $9,273 |
| [Drake University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/drake-university-832) | Des Moines, IA | $54,950 | $24,250 |
| [Miami University-Oxford](https://www.collegesref.com/college/miami-university-oxford-1675) | Oxford, OH | $54,215 | not reported |
| [University of Cincinnati](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-cincinnati-main-campus-2898) | Cincinnati, OH | $54,000 | $22,331 |
| [Florida Southern College](https://www.collegesref.com/college/florida-southern-college-982) | Lakeland, FL | $51,925 | $27,000 |
| [University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus](https://www.collegesref.com/college/university-of-pittsburgh-pittsburgh-campus-3019) | Pittsburgh, PA | $51,775 | not reported |
| [Chapman University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/chapman-university-510) | Orange, CA | $51,611 | $21,875 |
| [Western Connecticut State University](https://www.collegesref.com/college/western-connecticut-state-university-3226) | Danbury, CT | $50,955 | $26,000 |

## Related careers (NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk)

- [Media Programming Directors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/media-programming-directors): $90,360 median pay
- [Media Technical Directors/Managers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/media-technical-directors-managers): $90,360 median pay
- [Producers and Directors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/producers-and-directors): $90,360 median pay
- [Talent Directors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/talent-directors): $90,360 median pay
- [Fashion Designers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/fashion-designers): $80,960 median pay
- [Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/art-drama-and-music-teachers-postsecondary): $78,620 median pay
- [Poets, Lyricists and Creative Writers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/poets-lyricists-and-creative-writers): $76,910 median pay
- [Writers and Authors](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/writers-and-authors): $76,910 median pay
- [Set and Exhibit Designers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/set-and-exhibit-designers): $75,240 median pay
- [Music Directors and Composers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/music-directors-and-composers): $73,710 median pay
- [Choreographers](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/choreographers): $55,310 median pay
- [Costume Attendants](https://www.collegesref.com/careers/costume-attendants): $50,400 median pay

## More in Visual and Performing Arts

- [Music](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/music): 1,058 colleges
- [Fine and Studio Arts](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/fine-and-studio-arts): 1,052 colleges
- [Design and Applied Arts](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/design-and-applied-arts): 652 colleges
- [Film/Video and Photographic Arts](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/film-video-and-photographic-arts): 427 colleges
- [Visual and Performing Arts, General](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/visual-and-performing-arts-general): 298 colleges
- [Dance](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/dance): 278 colleges
- [Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/arts-entertainment-and-media-management): 230 colleges
- [Visual and Performing Arts, Other](https://www.collegesref.com/programs/visual-and-performing-arts-other): 62 colleges

## Sources

- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data, 2025: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/data/
- NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) 2020: https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/cipcode/